Broken magnetic oil plug

nandosman · 05-11-2018, 06:38 PM

So I was changing my oil today, and when putting back the cheap magnetic oil plug I got from amazon, it broke, and the magnetic piece immediately attached to something inside the oil pan (it made a "clank" sound). How bad is it?

Can I leave it there? Do I have to remove the oil pan to remove it? And if so, what tools do I need to remove it, couldn't find a DIY for removal.

SouthArk370Z · 05-11-2018, 07:00 PM

You might get lucky and it will stay stuck forever. Then again, it might come loose at any time. I'd try to fish it out (a stronger magnet on a gooseneck?); if unsuccessful, I'd pull the pan.

The FSM has procedures to R&R the pan. Unfortunately, it is getting difficult to find a copy.

40 to 332 · 05-11-2018, 07:02 PM

Well since the oil pan is steel, I don't suspect that the magnet will be going anywhere. Can you not reach in with your pinky finger and try to maneuver it toward the drain plug hole so that you could grab it with a pair of needle-nose pliers? Removing the oil pan is a bit of a PITA, but folks have done it to install oil pan spacers. Removal and installation instructions can be found in the FSM. There's also a couple of YouTube videos floating around showing how to do it on either a Z or G37. Google it.

nandosman · 05-11-2018, 07:15 PM

Found the procedure on the FSM. I'll have to get some Ultra Grey (by walking to the store, 5 f...g miles). Like, isn't there a filter on the oil pump that would prevent the magnet to pass? I'm so pissed, a 10 min oil change will become hours changing the damn oil pan. Stupid amazon magnetic plug.

redondoaveb · 05-11-2018, 07:40 PM

You could use a borescope (cheap on amazon), locate it and try to fish it out with another magnet on a gooseneck (like mentioned above) or with a bent piece of stiff wire.

nandosman · 05-11-2018, 11:19 PM

After 4 hours of struggle, oil pan is still there. That sealant must be made of God's boogers. How do people even take it off? Seriously questioning some life decisions right now...

redondoaveb · 05-11-2018, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandosman

After 4 hours of struggle, oil pan is still there. That sealant must be made of God's boogers. How do people even take it off? Seriously questioning some life decisions right now...

I saw a video on the installation of an oil pan spacer. When he removed the oil pan he had to go around the entire pan with a putty knife between the pan and block and cut through the sealant to break the pan loose.

axmea? · 05-12-2018, 01:40 AM

This happens more often than reported. Mine was discovered bent and cracked just before it was to be put back on. Magnetic plugs don't lasts and should be replaced probably every 2 yrs. Many just leave it and not worry about it.

axmea?'s not-much-of-a-build thread - more like a photo log Post 325

Trips · 05-12-2018, 02:17 AM

I would have used the negative side of a large magnet to move it close to the drain hole.

If left in place it shouldn't be going anywhere since it's magnetized, and besides the oil pickup screen would screened it out.

The last thing I'd want to do is drop the pan, But thats me

Rusty · 05-12-2018, 02:22 AM

If you are still trying to remove the pan. Use a putty knife and hammer. Tap the putty between the pan and the lower case. Start in one spot and work around. After you get the pan off. Clean up the surfaces. If you find any raised spots from the putty knife. You can use a file to file down the areas. Just be careful.

Trips · 05-12-2018, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

If you are still trying to remove the pan. Use a putty knife and hammer. Tap the putty between the pan and the lower case. Start in one spot and work around. After you get the pan off. Clean up the surfaces. If you find any raised spots from the putty knife. You can use a file to file down the areas. Just be careful.

Rusty · 05-12-2018, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trips

I would have used the negative side of a large magnet to move it close to the drain hole.

If left in place it shouldn't be going anywhere since it's magnetized, and besides the oil pickup screen would screened it out.

The last thing I'd want to do is drop the pan, But thats me

There is no screen in the oil pick-up. Just a funny looking narrow slit in a half of a ball welded to a tube.

Trips · 05-12-2018, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

There is no screen in the oil pick-up. Just a funny looking narrow slit in a half of a ball welded to a tube.

Wow! I just assumed there would be one to screen out metal material.

Thanks for the clarity.

Rusty · 05-12-2018, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trips

Wow! I just assumed there would be one to screen out metal material.

Thanks for the clarity.

Found a couple of pictures from when I installed the AM Perf. pan.

Trips · 05-12-2018, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Found a couple of pictures from when I installed the AM Perf. pan.

Found a clear image and as I suspected they do indeed have a screen.

I thought I was going crazy on how Nissan would not have one.

https://conceptzperformance.com/niss...0a_p_17159.php

Back to the original topic!

05-11-2018, 06:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
nandosman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: IL, US Posts: 344 Drives: 2014 370Z T/S Rep Power: 8	Broken magnetic oil plug So I was changing my oil today, and when putting back the cheap magnetic oil plug I got from amazon, it broke, and the magnetic piece immediately attached to something inside the oil pan (it made a "clank" sound). How bad is it? Can I leave it there? Do I have to remove the oil pan to remove it? And if so, what tools do I need to remove it, couldn't find a DIY for removal. __________________ FI Non-Res Test Pipes \| FI 18" Res CBE \| Stillen Gen 3 CAI \| Dynotuned @ Dynosty EcuTek 325 whp

05-11-2018, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	You might get lucky and it will stay stuck forever. Then again, it might come loose at any time. I'd try to fish it out (a stronger magnet on a gooseneck?); if unsuccessful, I'd pull the pan. The FSM has procedures to R&R the pan. Unfortunately, it is getting difficult to find a copy. Memphis370Z likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-11-2018, 07:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
nandosman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: IL, US Posts: 344 Drives: 2014 370Z T/S Rep Power: 8	Found the procedure on the FSM. I'll have to get some Ultra Grey (by walking to the store, 5 f...g miles). Like, isn't there a filter on the oil pump that would prevent the magnet to pass? I'm so pissed, a 10 min oil change will become hours changing the damn oil pan. Stupid amazon magnetic plug. __________________ FI Non-Res Test Pipes \| FI 18" Res CBE \| Stillen Gen 3 CAI \| Dynotuned @ Dynosty EcuTek 325 whp

05-11-2018, 07:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
redondoaveb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: So. Commiefornia Posts: 6,366 Drives: 2014 Nismo Gunmetal Rep Power: 2684374	You could use a borescope (cheap on amazon), locate it and try to fish it out with another magnet on a gooseneck (like mentioned above) or with a bent piece of stiff wire. __________________ Fast Intentions "Stage Seb" twin turbo #098- Specialty Z/Tial-Xonarotor/CJM/Ecutek/HKS/KW/SPL/Hotchkis/Rohana/Toyo 700+whp

05-11-2018, 11:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
nandosman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: IL, US Posts: 344 Drives: 2014 370Z T/S Rep Power: 8	After 4 hours of struggle, oil pan is still there. That sealant must be made of God's boogers. How do people even take it off? Seriously questioning some life decisions right now... __________________ FI Non-Res Test Pipes \| FI 18" Res CBE \| Stillen Gen 3 CAI \| Dynotuned @ Dynosty EcuTek 325 whp

05-11-2018, 07:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
40 to 332 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Kimberley, BC, CANADA Posts: 452 Drives: 13 370Z BS M6 Sport Rep Power: 439	Well since the oil pan is steel, I don't suspect that the magnet will be going anywhere. Can you not reach in with your pinky finger and try to maneuver it toward the drain plug hole so that you could grab it with a pair of needle-nose pliers? Removing the oil pan is a bit of a PITA, but folks have done it to install oil pan spacers. Removal and installation instructions can be found in the FSM. There's also a couple of YouTube videos floating around showing how to do it on either a Z or G37. Google it.

05-12-2018, 01:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
axmea? A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,236 Drives: WELL ZED PW 6MT Rep Power: 53241	This happens more often than reported. Mine was discovered bent and cracked just before it was to be put back on. Magnetic plugs don't lasts and should be replaced probably every 2 yrs. Many just leave it and not worry about it. axmea?'s not-much-of-a-build thread - more like a photo log Post 325 Trips likes this. __________________ >MyZ's Album< NISMO Convert/ECUTEK/Takeda CAI/F.I. HFC NR CB Carbon/F.I. 34 Row Oil Cooler/4.08 Final Drive /Powertrix+Swifts/Hotchkis/SPL/Whiteline/TWM/Zoom Engineering/EVO-R/AeroJacket Vented CF Fenders + CF Spoiler/Avant Garde-WORK/NST/Morimoto Halo/STi Clear Lenses/Carbon Signal Automotive/RJM Performance/ZSpeed Clutch Flywheel CSC delete

05-12-2018, 02:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,732 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I would have used the negative side of a large magnet to move it close to the drain hole. If left in place it shouldn't be going anywhere since it's magnetized, and besides the oil pickup screen would screened it out. The last thing I'd want to do is drop the pan, But thats me __________________

05-12-2018, 02:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 68 Posts: 35,219 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	If you are still trying to remove the pan. Use a putty knife and hammer. Tap the putty between the pan and the lower case. Start in one spot and work around. After you get the pan off. Clean up the surfaces. If you find any raised spots from the putty knife. You can use a file to file down the areas. Just be careful. Trips and B&W_Evader like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

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